Inside the High Firmament Hall of the Heavenly Court.
Wutian sighed as he sat cross-legged within the World-Destroying Black Lotus atop the Imperial Steps.
The wait for victory was long, yet the wait for defeat passed swiftly. Thirty-three years had gone by, and in the end, he had been like a night-blooming cereus, appearing briefly, blossoming in a moment of splendor, then withering in an instant. His heart was filled with regret.
Turning toward Chaos, Wutian thought, I wonder how much longer Black Robe will need to find my true form. But my true form... is not me, after all.
"Amitabha! I, the humble monk Maitreya, Namo Buddha of the Present, have led the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats here to settle the karmic debt the Devil Ancestor incurred when he attacked our Spirit Mountain!" Suddenly, a mighty voice rang out from beyond the Heavenly Court. Countless rays of Buddha light passed through the Heavenly Gate and entered the Heavenly Court, with Maitreya, Dizang, Medicine Buddha, Mahasthamaprapta, Void Treasury, Sunlight, and Moonlight at their head, flying swiftly toward the High Firmament Hall.
"I, Shentu, have come with the Five Directional Ghost Emperors and the Six Heavens of Mount Luofeng to settle the karmic debt the Devil Ancestor incurred when he attacked our Underworld!" Another mighty shout followed. Shentu, Yulei, and the many great gods of the Netherworld flew into the Heavenly Court, heading toward the High Firmament Hall.
"I, Dowager Queen Zitong, have led the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas here to settle the karmic debt the Devil Ancestor incurred when he attacked our Four Seas!"
"I, King Xiong Yuan, have led the Four Heavenly Kings, the Five Directional Guardians, the Nine Luminaries Star Lords, and the Twelve Yuanchen here to settle the karmic debt the Devil Ancestor incurred when